Former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko is targeting heroic status with the Parkhead club when he faces Rangers.
The Ibrox side have been paired with Sviatchenko’s FC Midtjylland if they can beat former conquerors Progres Niederkorn in the Europa League. The potential clash could see Sviatchenko return to Scotland for the first time since leaving Parkhead.
Celtic supporters still remember the big Dane fondly. He made 63 appearances for the Hoops between 2016 and 2018. He left the club in January 2018 to head back home on loan, before signing permanently for Midtjylland that summer.
And it appears as though he’s on a collision course to meet our domestic foes in Europe. And, speaking in the Daily Record, the centre-back is looking to make the Celtic supporters happy by knocking Steven Gerrard’s side out of Europe.
“If we were to play Rangers and beat them then I am sure it would put me up another level and up there alongside the Invincibles with the Celtic support if we were to knock them out of Europe!
“I know Progres beat Rangers last time but I would expect Rangers to beat them and to play us in the next round. It would be interesting for myself being a Celtic player and the history I have playing against them again.
“It would be funny coming up against Rangers when I am not in a Celtic strip, so that would be interesting. I would expect a warm welcome from the Rangers fans if I go to Ibrox. I have already scored against Rangers for Celtic and hopefully I can do the same if I get the chance in the Europa League qualifiers.”
Erik Sviatchenko looking to make his mark
Invincible status may be a bit too far Erik, but there’s no denying that knocking Rangers out of Europe would give his old club’s supporters some real pleasure.
Sviatchenko scored against Rangers back in the Scottish Cup semi-final of 2016. He was also part of several successes against the Ibrox side under Brendan Rodgers before leaving for Midtjylland.
But the Dane is back home and seems to be enjoying life there once again. He’s now made over 160 career appearances for Midtjylland, and he’ll be thirsty for some European success with them too.
Last season, Sviatchenko only just missed out on the league title to Kobenhavn. Their Danish Cup success, however, at least brought some silverware to the club in any case. Now, Midtjylland have started the season with two wins out of two, and Sviatchenko is very much at the heart of it.
Hopefully, if Rangers arrest their Progres demons, it’s a successful return to Scotland for Sviatchenko. He consistently gave his all for the club, and was always a reliable centre-back when called upon.
Would knocking Rangers out make big Erik a hero at Parkhead? Let’s be honest – probably!
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